Townsend and Spencer crowned 2026 NSW Winter Distance champions

Lachlan Townsend (Sydney University) and Kate Spencer (UTS Norths) have been crowned the 2026 NSW Distance Runners of the Year, after a winter season that rewarded consistency and big performances in equal measure.

The competition recognises the best all-round NSW distance runners of the winter and is decided across six events: the Sydney 10, Cross Country (XC) Relays, XC Champs, XC Short Course, Road Relays and Sydney Half. In the individual events, the winner earns 15 points, with points scaling down to one for 15th place. Relay events use a smaller scale, with a maximum of five points on offer.

Results from every event count towards an athlete's total, rewarding not only standout performances, but consistency across the entire winter season.

NSW Distance Runner of the Year – MEN

Townsend's win was a lesson in turning up. The Sydney University runner didn't win an individual event all winter, yet finished on top with 43 points.

Ngandu finished just two points back on 41, with Bankstown's Isaac Shaw taking third on 37. Run Crew's Jack Millar followed in fourth on 34, while UTS Norths' Ed Goddard rounded out the top five on 29.

The victory also continues a strong recent run for Sydney University, with Townsend following 2025 winner Ben Bishop to make it back-to-back men's Distance Runner of the Year titles for the club. Townsend's journey has also come full circle through the NSW pathway, having started in the sport with Dubbo Little Athletics before progressing to Sydney University.

Final Mens Standings

43 – Lachlan Townsend (SYU)
41 – Benjamin Ngandu (KJ)
37 – Isaac Shaw (BAN)
34 – Jack Millar (RCR)
29 – Ed Goddard (UTN)

NSW Distance Runner of the Year – WOMEN

In the women's competition, Spencer's win was emphatic. The UTS Norths runner finished with 54 points from just five events, 14 clear of Run Crew's Sophie Chudley on 40.

Chudley's 14 points at the half marathon secured second overall, ahead of Run Crew teammate Katie St Lawrence on 30. Emily Ryan (Sydney University) was fourth on 27, with Sydney Half winner Abigail Nordberg and Martina Conner (Randwick Botany Harriers) level on 26 in equal fifth.

For Spencer, the 2026 title was a case of going one better after she finished second in the individual standings in 2025, narrowly missing out on the overall crown. Her success this winter adds to an already accomplished NSW distance running résumé, which includes NSW Open Cross Country titles in 2016 and 2024 and three NSW Short Course Cross Country titles.

Final Womens Standings

54 – Kate Spencer (UTN)

40 – Sophie Chudley (RCR)

30 – Katie St Lawrence (RCR)

27 – Emily Ryan (SYU)

26 – Abigail Nordberg

With the 2026 winter season now wrapped up, the final points have been tallied and another chapter of NSW distance running is in the books. The full Distance Runner of the Year standings and final scores can be viewed here.

Attention now turns to what promises to be a huge summer of athletics across NSW. The Treloar Shield gets underway this week, kicking off a packed 2026/27 calendar. Whether chasing points, personal bests or championship medals, there is plenty ahead for athletes across the state